Basketball game

ABSTRACT

A basketball game and game board construction are described. The game board is mounted in an integrally constructed boxlike container with an end thereof having a length corresponding substantially to the length of the sides of the container so that when said end is folded downwardly, it will form a lid for the container, and when extended upwardly, it will form a backstop for the game ball. The container includes support members which are constructed to angle the game board downwardly proceeding rearwardly from the backboard. A receptacle for receiving the game ball is provided in the game board and means are provided for guiding the game ball into the receptacle. The game ball has printed thereon indicia which indicate scoring and further disposition of the game ball as the game is played. An impeller means is provided for propelling the ball toward the hoop mounted on the backboard, and means are provided for altering the trajectory of the ball. An alternate embodiment is disclosed in which the receptacle in the game board is covered by a barrier element which guides the ball rolling rearwardly to one side or the other of said barrier so that further disposition of the ball may be indicated.

United States Patent [72] Inventor William C. Barfleld Box 757, Wilmington, N.C. 28401 [211 Appl. No. 879,086 [22] Filed Nov. 24, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 23, 1971 54] BASKETBALL GAME 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Ci. 273/101, 124/4, 273/85 C [51] Int. Cl A631) 65/12 [50] Fleldo1Seai-eh.... 273/101 R, 103 R, 93 R, 85 R, 85 E;124/4 R, 6 R

[ 56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,854 1/1893 Davids 273/101 1,890,770 12/1932 Coplen 273/101 UX 3,033,566 5/1962 Schmidt 124/4 1,915,452 6/1933 Shefi'ler et al.. 273/85 E 2,944,823 7/1960 Gilbert Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Auomey-Cushman, Darby & Cushman ABSTRACT: A basketball game and game board construction are described. The game board is mounted in an integrally constructed boxlike container with an end thereof having a length corresponding substantially to the length of the sides of the container so that when said end is folded downwardly, it will form a lid for the container, and when extended upwardly. it will form a backstop for the game ball. The container includes support members which are constructed to angle the game board downwardly proceeding rearwardly from the backboard. A receptacle for receiving the game ball is provided in the game board and means are provided for guiding the game ball into the receptacle. The game ball has printed thereon indicia which indicate scoring and further disposition of the game ball as the game is played. An impeller means is provided for propelling the ball toward the hoop mounted on the backboard, and means are provided for altering the trajectory of the ball. An alternate embodiment is disclosed in which the receptacle in the game board is covered by a barrier element which guides the ball rolling rearwardly to one side or the other of said barrier so that further disposition of the ball may be indicated.

PATENTEDNUV 23 I97| SHEET 1 [IF 3 I NVENTOR PATENTEDNUV 2 3 I97! SHEEI 3 OF 3 INVENTOR BASKETBALL GAME This invention relates to game apparatus and in particular to game apparatus in which a ball is propelled through the air and the object is to accurately propel said ball so that it passes through a horizontally extending hoop, said game being played substantially according to the rules of the game known as basketball.

An object of this invention is to provide a game board construction, suitable for playing a basketball-like game or any other similar game, which is of simple construction and thereby easy and economical to manufacture. The object is obtained in the game board constructed according to the principles of this invention by constructing the container for the game board and the backstop necessary for impelled ball games from a single piece of material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game board construction for game apparatus in which balls or the like are propelled toward a target, said game apparatus being easily dismantled into a compact, portable package.

A further object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus for the playing of a game similar to basketball having an impeller means for said ball which is easily operated and in which the trajectory of said ball may be easily adjusted.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus for the playing of a game similar to basketball in which the calls of a referee are simulated by indicia placed on the game ball. The attainment of this object will further simplify the construction of the game apparatus in that no other means need be provided for indicating scoring and/or further disposition of the ball.

The aforementioned and other objects may be obtained in the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention which may be best understood by reference to a description of the preferred embodiments given hereinbelow in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the game board assembly with the lid-backstop in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game board apparatus and game board illustrated in FIG. 1 with the lid-backstop in an upright position, the backboard in place and game ball being propelled toward a hoop mounted on the backboard; a wall of said game board construction has been fragmented to show the internal construction supporting the game board;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 with the game board removed showing the construction of the container and the support members for the game board;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the impeller for the game ball;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the impeller and the game board construction showing a suggested relative positioning and showing the impeller as having propelled a game ball toward the hoop;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an alternate embodiment of an impeller which may be used with the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the game ball to be used with the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a top elevation of the game ball illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a bottom elevation of the game ball illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear portion of the game board, the container, the barrier and with the game ball in the receptacle illustrating the use of the indicia on the game ball when the game ball is in place in the receptacle and FIG. 11 is a top elevation of an alternate embodiment of the game board constructed according to the principles of this invention in which a barrier has been added covering the ball receptacle in the rear portion of the game board, said barrier being adapted to direct the ball to one side or other of the game board to indicate further disposition of the ball.

In FIG. I there is shown a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a container 10 for the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention, said container being shown in a collapsed or folded position allowing it to be carried from place to place or easily stored. The container 10 comprises ends 12 and 16 and sides 14 and 18. The ends 12 and 16 are comprised of lower portions 12a and 160, respectively, and upper portions 121: and 16b, respectively. The upper portion 12b of the end 12 is preferably of a length substantially equal to the lengths of sides 14 and 18, is integral with the lower portion 12a and is adapted to be folded downwardly or into an upright position. In FIG. I the container cover or upper portion 12b of end 12 is shown as being folded downwardly completely covering the game board. The sides 14 and 18 and end 16 are each comprised of lower portions 14a, 18a and 16a, respectively, and have upper portions 14b, and 18b and 1612, respectively, which are of a height substantially less than the height of the lower portions of the sides and ends. The upper portions of the sides 14 and I8 and end 16 are shown as having been folded inwardly when the cover 12b is folded over them. The ends 12 and 16 and the sides 14 and 18 are preferably integral with a base 15 and having merely been folded into an upright position from said base. In view of this construction it is apparent that the entire container for the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention may be assembled from a single sheet of any desired material properly shaped to allow it to be folded into the configuration described hereinabove.

FIG. 2 illustrates contained 10 with cover 12b in an upright position revealing the structural details of the game board fonning the game apparatus constructed according to this invention. In the illustrated upright position cover 12b forms a backstop and a support member for a backboard 20 which may be inserted in container 10 flush against cover 12b in the manner shown. Backboard 20, depending on the stiffness of its construction, may provide sufficient support obviating the need for anchoring in some well-known manner cover or backstop 12b in the upright position.

The backboard 20 has mounted thereon by means of a mounting bracket 26 a hoop 22 which extends laterally in a horizontal plane from backboard 20 and is of a size adapted to receive and allow to pass therethrough a game ball 36. It is contemplated that mounting bracket 26 might be of a nature which would allow the hoop to be pivoted upwardly or downwardly for storage flush against backboard 20. Further, the hoop 22 is equipped with a net 24 in a manner and of a material well known to those familiar with the game of basketball. It is contemplated that in this preferred embodiment the backboard 20 is removably placed between end I2 and the adjacent end of game board 28. Thus, the backboard 20 may be placed in position simply by sliding it into the interstice between the end I2 and the adjacent end of game board 28. Further, the backboard 20 provides the needed support to hold the cover-backstop 12b in its upright position.

The upper portions 14b, 18b and 16b of the sides and one end are, in this figure, shown as having the capability of being folded into a substantially upright position. In this position these portions provide a needed additional height barrier to keep the game ball 36 on the board after it has been propelled through the hoop or against the backstop. To give an indication of the size relationship of the upper portion to the remainder of the sides 14 and 18 and the end I6 in the preferred embodiment the lower portions 14a, 16a, and are of a height of 4 inches, while the upper portions 14b and 18b are of a height of 2 inches from the tops of the lower portions with the top portion 16b of end I6a extending upwardly the height of I inch from the top of lower portion I6a.

The game board 28 is a flat, sheetlike member which is supported from base 15 of container 10 by means of longitudinally extending support members 34 and laterally extending support members 40 (shown in FIG. 3). As best shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal support members 34 are of a height which decreases proceeding rearwardly from end 12 toward end I6 of the container, and lateral support members 40, while each being of a constant height, are each of a decreasing height proceeding rearwardly from end 12 of the container. Therefore, game board 28, when placed on the support members, will assume an inclined position angled downwardly proceeding rearwardly from end 12 or the backboard end of the game board. A rectangular frame structure 38 having defined therein a circular receptacle 32 is centrally placed in the rearward portion of the container to coincide with the circular opening in game board 28 forming the receptacle 32 into which the game ball may roll. A substantially elliptically curved upright barrier member 30 is attached to game board 28 to guide a game ball rolling rearwardly thereon into the receptacle 32.

For manufacturing the preferred embodiment of the container 10, the game board 28, the game board support members 34 and 40 and the backboard it is contemplated that a material similar to cardboard may be used. Any suitable material, however, which may be readily formed into the construction described hereinabove may be used. Further, the surface of game board 28 may be suitably colored to have an appearance similar to a hard wood floor with the markings generally found on the floor used in the game of basketball painted thereon H0. 4 is a perspective view of impeller 42 upon which the game ball 36 may be placed and propelled toward the hoop 22. It is to be noted that impeller 42 is a member entirely separate from the game apparatus enclosed in container 10. Thus, impeller 42 may be placed at any desired position with respect to hoop 22 to achieve the desired accuracy in propelling game ball 36 through the hoop.

Impeller 42 is comprised of a base member 44, shown as a rectangular block in the preferred embodiment, and mounted on the base 44 are upright sides 46a and 46b. A manually rotatable shaft 48 is journaled into and through the sides 46a and 461; with ends of shaft 48a extending laterally from said sides allowing the shaft to be grasped by the human hand and twisted to operate the impeller.

A single wire may be formed into a circular opening forming a ball support 56 and the support members therefor 54. In the preferred embodiment the ball support 56 is formed so that the opening therein is substantially horizontal when the impeller is at rest, and the support members 54 are formed so that the ball support 56 is placed rearwardly and upwardly from the shaft 48. Ends of support members 54 are attached to shaft 48, and in this preferred embodiment these ends extend through the shaft 48 forming stop members 58.

A rectangular stopping block 50 is placed on base 44 directly in front of or adjacent the front ends of side members 46a and 46b in a position which will allow stop members 58 to collide with the block 50 when the shaft 48 is twisted in a clockwise direction (as seen facing side 46b) abruptly halting the motion of the impeller means. The stop block 50 is provided with the surface 52 which will act to damp oscillatory motions of stop members of 58 upon impact with the stopping block. This surface may be formed of foam rubber or the like, as is the case in the preferred embodiment, but any such surface which will have the desired effect is contemplated.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the impeller means 42 is operated to propel game ball 36 toward hoop 22 by merely manually twisting the shaft 48 in the above-described manner. Because the ball 36 is loosely supported in ball support 56, the energy imparted to it by twisting shafts 48 will propel it toward hoop 22 after the motion of ball support 56 has been halted by the collision of stop members 58 with stopping block 50. The position of ball support 56, support members 54 and stop members 58 at the instant of impact with stopping block 50 and release of ball 36 are shown in dotted line in FIG. 5.

HO. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the impeller means 42. In this figure an additional stopping block 60 with a damping surface 62 is shown as having been placed on top of stopping block 50. By adding an additional stopping block 60, the trajectory of game ball 36 may be altered. That is, by causing stopping members 58 to collide with a stopping block at an earlier point on their arcuate motion, game ball 36 will be released from ball support 56 at an earlier point on the motion thereof so that the game ball will proceed toward the hoop with a higher arc. It is contemplated that stopping block 60 may be made of any desired height or any number of stopping blocks, similar to stopping block 60, may be used to achieve the desired trajectory. Further, it is contemplated that stopping block 50 may be made of any desired height to achieve the desired trajectory using a single stopping block.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the game ball used in the game apparatus constructed according to this invention. In the preferred embodiment game ball 36 is of the type commonly used in table tennis or ping-pong," but it is contemplated that any ball which will achieve the desired result may be used. As shown in the figures the game ball 36 is imprinted in any convenient manner with a number of indicia. Each particular marking or symbol is placed on the ball at least twice in different colors for the two different "teams" playing the game. When the ball 36 has been propelled through hoop 22 and has rolled into the receptacle 32, it is contemplated that that symbol in the color of either team which is in the most upright position when looking downwardly on the ball will indicate the score or penalty, if any, and further disposition of the ball. For example, the large circular symbols 35a and 35b on the opposite ends of ball 36 are in two different colors-one for each of the opposing teams. lf Team A should propel the ball 36 through the hoop 22 this would constitute a field goal and two points for Team A. Basically the large circular symbol indicates the "awarding" of a field goal for two points when the ball rolls into the receptacle 32 with symbol 35a in the upright position. However, since no four point play is possible in the game of basketball symbol 35a in the most upright position counts for one point if it follows a made" field goal (ball through the hoop 22) by the same team. The same rule will apply to the smaller dual symbol 31 that indicates the awarding of two foul shots for two points. In the preferred embodiment a single circular symbol 33 indicates the awarding of a single foul shot for one point, and the dual circular symbol 31 indicates the "awarding" of two foul shots for two points. if the letter T in the color of the team making a shot is in the upright position when the ball rolls into receptacle 32, the shot is nullified and the opposing team gets the ball for a shot because the shooting team will be penalized for traveling. If the T is in the color of the team not shooting then possession is retained by the shooting team for another shot. if the letter "F" in the preferred embodiment ball should be in the upright position when a shot is made, and the ball has rolled into receptacle 32, the shot is nullified and the opposing team will get the ball for a foul shot. lf the F is in the color of the nonshooting team the shooting team retains possession and takes the indicated foul shot.

Therefore, it can be seen that in this invention the referee is in efi'ect on the ball. Further, it is contemplated that any symbols or combination thereof may be used, and those described hereinabove are not exhaustive or in any way limiting in this respect.

in playing the game of basketball with the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention, a preferred embodiment of which is described hereinabove, it is contemplated that the following rules will be used, but it must be remembered that these rules may be modified while still using the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention. Basically, the game is played by the published and wellknown rules of the game of basketball. If more than two players are involved, they may be divided into teams, and each team can decide which player will take a given shot. When, through the use of impeller 42, the ball 36 has been propelled through hoop 22 and has rolled into rcceptacle 32, the scoring and further disposition of the ball will be determined by the symbol and color thereon which is in the most upright position when looking downwardly on the ball. If one of the symbols and colors, such as those described hereinabove, in the most upright position indicates that a score has been made, that score will be counted to the proper teams credit and the ball will be transferred to the opposing team who will then shoot it with an impeller 42. If a symbol indicating a violation should appear in the most upright position in the shooting team's color, the ball will go to the opposing team to shoot without any score being credited to the shooting team. If that violation symbol should indicate a foul, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot from wherever it pleases for one point, and the ball will afterwards be in play. It is intended that when such a foul shot is taken and goes through the hoop 22 the point (or points if a two shot foul) will be credited to the shooting team regardless of what the on-theball-referee" indicates. After the ball has come to rest in receptacle 32, if the symbols thereon appearing in the most upright position should be equidistant to the top so that an easy detennination cannot be made of the symbol to be used, a jump ball" will be indicated, and the ball will be tossed onto the game board 28 and allowed to roll again into receptacle 32 for an indication of scoring or of further disposition of the ball.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the game ap paratus constructed according to the principles of this invention which will permit an alternate mode of playing a basketball game. In this embodiment a triangular-shaped blocklike barrier member 70 has been placed over as to cover receptacle 32. The barrier 70 is so placed that the apex of the triangle points directly toward the backboard 20. Therefore, when game ball 36 rolls rearwardly on game board 28 toward receptacle 32 it will be directed to one side or the other of game board 28 by barrier 70, instead of being allowed to roll into receptacle 32. This will allow a game to be played in which the players merely "shoot baskets" against each other, and the determination of who gets to shoot next will be made by the portion of game board 28 upon which ball 36 comes to rest. It is contemplated that any type of barrier member may be used to cover receptacle 32 and guide the ball to one side or other of the game board, and the use of a triangular-shaped barrier is not particularly required.

The description of the preferred embodiment of the game apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention given hereinabove is intended to be only exemplary, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in said preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the suggested rules of play given hereinabove with reference to the use of the described game apparatus are intended only to be exemplary, and any desired set of rules may be developed utilizing the game apparatus according to this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A basketball game apparatus comprising a vertically extending backboard having a hoop mounted thereon, the circumference of said hoop extending laterally of said backboard for receiving therein an accurately impelled ball,

a horizontally extending game board angled downwardly away from said backboard, said backboard extending vertically upwardly from the forward end of said game board,

means defining a single receptacle substantially centrally disposed in the rearward portion of said game board, said game board including means for guiding said ball rolling rearwardly thereof into said receptacles,

at least one manually operable impeller means completely self-contained and separate from said game board, said impeller means adapted to be placed externally of the boundary of said game board for propelling a ball toward said hoop when said impeller means is manually operated, and

a game ball having indicia bearing means placed on the surface thereof for indicating, by chance, scoring and further disposition of said ball when said ball has rolled into said receptacle. 2. The game apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said impeller means comprises a manually rotatable horizontally extending shaft, support means into which said shaft is journaled, a ball support member attached to said shaft and extending laterally therefrom rearwardly and upwardly of said impeller means, said ball support member being adapted to receive and releasably hold said game ball, a stopping member extending forwardly of said shaft and at least one stopping block placed so that said stopping member will collide with a surface of said stopping block when moved downwardly by rotation of said shaft, whereby said game ball is propelled from said impeller means by manual twisting of said shafi and the impact of said stopping member against said stopping block.

3. The game apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said stopping block includes a resilient material mounted on the surface thereof which receives the impact of said stopping member thereby damping oscillatory motion of said stopping member upon impact with said stopping block.

4. A game apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said im peller means includes a plurality of stopping blocks adapted to be removably stacked one on top of the other in order to modify the height at which the motion of said stopping member is halted thereby changing the trajectory of a game ball propelled by said impeller means.

5. The game apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for guiding comprises an upright barrier means having a substantially elliptical shape mounted on said game board and positioned as to guide a ball rolling rearwardly on said game board into said receptacle.

6. The game apparatus defined in claim 1 comprising in addition removable barrier means adapted to be placed on said game board as to block said receptacle and to cooperate with said means for guiding to divide the rearward portion of said game board into two sectors to facilitate the determination of further disposition of said game ball when said game ball rolls to the rearward portion of said game board. 

1. A basketball game apparatus comprising a vertically extending backboard having a hoop mounted thereon, the circumference of said hoop extending laterally of said backboard for receiving therein an accurately impelled ball, a horizontally extending game board angled downwardly away from said backboard, said backboard extending vertically upwardly from the forward end of said game board, means defining a single receptacle substantially centrally disposed in the rearward portion of said game board, said game board including means for guiding said ball rolling rearwardly thereof into said receptacles, at least one manually operable impeller means completely self-contained and separate from said game board, said impeller means adapted to be placed externally of the boundary of said game board for propelling a ball toward said hoop when said impeller means is manually operated, and a game ball having indicia bearing means placed on the surface thereof for indicating, by chance, scoring and further disposition of said ball when said ball has rolled into said receptacle.
 2. The game apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said impeller means comprises a manually rotatable horizontally extending shaft, support means into which said shaft is journaled, a ball support member attached to said shaft and extending laterally therefrom rearwardly and upwardly of said impeller means, said ball support member being adapted to receive and releasably hold said game ball, a stopping member extending forwardly of said shaft and at least one stopping block placed so that said stopping member will collide with a surface of said stopping block when moved downwardly by rotation of said shaft, whereby said game ball is propelled from said impeller means by manual twisting of said shaft and the impact of said stopping member against said stopping block.
 3. The game apparatus defined in claim 2 whereIn said stopping block includes a resilient material mounted on the surface thereof which receives the impact of said stopping member thereby damping oscillatory motion of said stopping member upon impact with said stopping block.
 4. A game apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said impeller means includes a plurality of stopping blocks adapted to be removably stacked one on top of the other in order to modify the height at which the motion of said stopping member is halted thereby changing the trajectory of a game ball propelled by said impeller means.
 5. The game apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for guiding comprises an upright barrier means having a substantially elliptical shape mounted on said game board and positioned as to guide a ball rolling rearwardly on said game board into said receptacle.
 6. The game apparatus defined in claim 1 comprising in addition removable barrier means adapted to be placed on said game board as to block said receptacle and to cooperate with said means for guiding to divide the rearward portion of said game board into two sectors to facilitate the determination of further disposition of said game ball when said game ball rolls to the rearward portion of said game board. 